DNEG is seeking a highly experienced Environment Lead to drive the execution and delivery of high-quality digital environments within the Shot Finishing pipeline, including Environment Generalist workflows, Lighting, and Compositing integration.

This role is central to ensuring that environments are not only visually compelling but also seamlessly integrated into final shots. The Environment Lead is responsible for maintaining the artistic integrity, technical precision, and production efficiency of all environment-related deliverables.

Working closely with the Visual Effects Supervisor, you will translate creative direction into final output, ensuring that all environments meet the highest standards of realism, consistency, and storytelling impact.

• Establish and maintain the visual look of environments in alignment with the VFX Supervisor’s creative vision.
• Ensure all environment assets integrate seamlessly into final shots, supporting narrative continuity.
• Translate concept art and references into photo-realistic digital environments.
• Maintain consistency across sequences, ensuring environments match lighting, scale, and cinematic tone.

• Oversee the integration of environments within lighting and compositing workflows.
• Collaborate with lighting and compositing teams to ensure:
• Accurate light interaction
• Seamless compositing
• Realistic atmospheric and environmental effects
• Ensure final shots meet cinematic quality standards for delivery.

• Develop and implement best-practice workflows for environment creation and shot finishing.
• Manage:
  • Render testing
  • Scene optimization
  • Asset publishing for pipeline propagation
• Ensure environments are optimized for efficiency without compromising quality.
• Work closely with pipeline and technical teams to improve production workflows.

As a Lead, you are the voice of your department. You will work hand-in-hand with Production Managers to define delivery schedules, set milestones, and ensure that the team is on track. You are also the primary point of contact for other department supervisors (such as Assets, Lighting, and Comp), ensuring that the environments integrate perfectly with characters and CG effects.

• Lead a team of Environment Generalists, Lighting Artists, and Compositors.
• Delegate tasks effectively based on skill sets and project priorities.
• Provide mentorship, feedback, and performance guidance.
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team culture.

We are looking for a veteran artist who has spent years in the trenches of major feature film production. The ideal candidate will possess a “generalist” mindset with “specialist” execution across the following areas:

• The Core Toolkit: Expert proficiency in Maya, Mari, and Nuke is mandatory. You should be comfortable jumping between these packages to troubleshoot or set up master scenes.
• Pipeline Knowledge: A profound understanding of the end-to-end VFX pipeline—how an asset moves from modeling and texturing into layout, lighting, and finally compositing.
• World Building Techniques: High-level experience in modeling (architectural and organic), texturing (hero and tiling), layout, and digital matte painting.
• Proceduralism: Strong working knowledge of procedural city and terrain generation (e.g., Houdini, Gaea) and scattering tools is a major advantage.
• Data Mastery: Experience processing and utilizing complex shoot data, including LIDAR, photogrammetry, HDRIs, and extensive photographic reference sets.
• Foundational Knowledge: A deep understanding of the natural world—how light interacts with different weather patterns (meteorology), how terrain forms (geology), and the structural logic of man-made environments (architecture).

Professional Experience

• Minimum 7+ years of experience in VFX for feature films or high-end episodic production.
• Proven track record as an Environment Lead or similar leadership role.
• Experience managing teams and delivering complex environment builds.

• Autodesk Maya
• Mari
• Nuke
• Strong capabilities in:
  • Modelling
  • Texturing
  • Layout
  • Lighting
  • Digital Matte Painting
• Solid understanding of compositing workflows and integration techniques.

• Deep understanding of:
  • 3D and 2.5D VFX pipelines
  • Asset management and propagation
  • Shot-based workflows
• Experience working with:
  • HDRIs
  • Photogrammetry
  • LiDAR data
  • Real-world photographic references

• Experience with procedural environment generation (cities, terrains).
• Knowledge of scattering tools and large-scale environment systems.
• Ability to optimize complex scenes for rendering performance.

At DNEG, we hire for character as much as for technical ability. The Environment Lead must be a steadying force for their team.

• Motivational Leader: You have a proven track record of managing a department. You know how to inspire artists, provide constructive feedback, and delegate work effectively based on individual strengths.
• Strategic Thinker: You don’t just solve the problem in front of you; you anticipate the problems that will arise three months from now and build workflows to prevent them.
• Exceptional Communicator: You can articulate complex technical concepts to production staff and artistic visions to the artists.
• Resilient Under Pressure: You remain calm and proactive when deadlines are tight and milestones are shifting.
• Detail-Oriented: You have a “perfectionist” eye for photo-realism but a “realist” approach to production constraints.

DNEG Sydney is one of our newest and most exciting hubs. We believe that connection and collaboration are the sparks of creativity, which is why we emphasize a shared physical workspace.

Collaborative Hybrid Model: We ask our leads to be in our beautiful Sydney office at least two days a week. This allows for the face-to-face mentorship and spontaneous brainstorming that defines our culture.

Global Impact: Join a network of 9,000+ professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia. While you are based in Sydney, your work will be seen on screens worldwide, contributing to some of the biggest franchises in cinema history.

Inclusion & Belonging: At DNEG, we believe that diverse teams produce the best work. We are committed to creating an equitable environment where everyone feels they matter and belong.

• 7+ Years of Feature Film Experience: This role requires a seasoned veteran who understands the stakes of high-budget VFX.
• Management Experience: You must have previously managed a department or a large team of artists.
• Technical Breadth: You must be comfortable supervising Environment Generalist, Lighting, and Compositing tasks as they relate to environment delivery.
• Sydney Residency: If you are not currently in Sydney, relocation is required.

DNEG is a globally recognized leader in visual effects, animation, and creative technology, delivering award-winning work across film, television, and streaming platforms.

With over 9,000 employees worldwide, the company operates across major global hubs, including:

• North America (Los Angeles, Montréal, Toronto, Vancouver)
• Europe (London)
• Asia (Bangalore, Mohali, Chennai, Mumbai)
• Australia (Sydney)

DNEG is known for its:

• Industry-leading VFX pipelines
• High-profile feature film projects
• Commitment to innovation and storytelling excellence

• Lead environment and shot finishing work on high-profile global productions
• Work alongside industry-leading VFX professionals
• Contribute to cutting-edge visual storytelling
• Access long-term career growth within a global organization
• Be part of a collaborative, innovation-driven studio environment

If you are a visionary Environment artist with a passion for leadership and a desire to work on the world’s most prestigious film projects, DNEG is your home. We are looking for leaders who can help us push the boundaries of what is possible in digital world-building.

• Updated Resume / CV
• Portfolio showcasing environment and shot finishing work
• Breakdown demonstrating leadership contributions

Applications can be submitted via the official careers portal.